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I hear her words, but my brain is still ten steps behind everyone else. “I don’t get it. They don’t even know me. Why would they come?”
Vivia chuckles. “Because every single one of these dragons were awakened by you and have come here today to show their gratitude.”
Every single dragon here was awakened by me. I let those words sink in. For the days I was down in the cellar, I lost count of how many dragons I awakened, but I guess that number to be pretty steep. The proof of that theory is now laid out before me. Dragons of all colors and sizes take up space around the castle, farther than my eyes can see.
But one catches my eye. A small dragon, nuzzling against two larger ones. When the hatchling turns my way, I immediately recognize him. Even in dragon form. You don’t forget your first and Cyrus was the first dragon I awakened. He dips his head, his parents following his lead, and appreciation radiates from their family. He’s home with his parents, saying goodbye before they follow me into battle.
This is so surreal.
Not as surreal as the dragon approaching me, leaning down, their snout only inches away from my face. I don’t recognize this dragon, not until he speaks, that is. “You sat with me and allowed me to grieve and talk about the love of my life. Let me help save yours.”
Caliban. He came. Because of me.
My eyes sting with tears, and I only manage to say, “Thank you.” The words don’t convey my full gratitude, but they’ll have to do for now.
Aracelia leans over, slinging her arm over my shoulders. “You’ll come to learn that dragons are very protective of their own. You are one of us, our queen. That’s the title none of these dragons take lightly.”
Well damn. “I’m just…wow.”
“You didn’t think you’d go into battle alone, did you?” Aracelia raises her brow, a knowing smirk on her face.
“Uh…actually, yes?” Logically, I know strengthening the wards isn’t going to be as simple as me going to our borders and snapping my fingers to make everything better, but I still kind of hoped it would be like that.
Not a full-on battle.
Fucking hell.
“So, this isn’t overkill,” I mutter.
“No, definitely not. The dragons know their job. Keep Nephilim away from their queen so you can repair the wards,” Vivia says.
“And how do I do that exactly?” I try to whisper, but the dragons closest to us cock their head to the side. Already I feel like I’m letting the dragons down. Ender said I would know what to do. That in Mescos, I possess power, but it still doesn’t feel like it.
Aracelia brings a hand up to my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “You’ll know what to do when you feel it. All the kings and queens of the past didn’t grow up knowing, they simply knew when the time came. Don’t worry though, we will help you strengthen it. You will lead us.”
I open my mouth to protest before a flock of black birds springs up in the distance, spooked by something I can’t hear, but can imagine.
“We are out of time, we need to go. Now.” Aracelia turns her back to us. She shifts and a mighty growl reverberates around us, only to be picked up by the other dragons. A battle cry.
“It’s time to go, My Queen. Hope you aren’t afraid of heights,” Vivia says before shifting. Seconds later, a plum-colored dragon stands before me. “Hop on, Your Highness,” she says through our link.
Everything in me screams to turn back. To stay with Malix until this is all over. But the dragons are looking at me, ready to follow my lead. Their belief in me is the only reason I climb on the back of Vivia’s dragon, holding on to her for dear life.
“Ready?” Vivia’s voice is loud in my head. I hear the chants from the other dragons too, following Aracelia’s battle cry.
“Ready,” I lie.
Then, we take to the skies.
Chapter 35
Rose
The wind bites at my skin relentlessly, as my body flattens against Vivia’s even more. I’ve never considered myself afraid of heights before, but I also have never been atop a dragon’s back, flying countless feet above the ground. I cling to Vivia with all the strength I can muster, afraid if I loosen my grip for even a second, I’ll fall to my gruesome death.
Any naive hopes of a simple mission is quickly shattered the moment Vivia says we are close to the wards. Something feels wrong. I feel like a ball of yarn slowly being unwound, waiting for the moment I completely come apart. It’s not my own feelings; I’m picking up someone…or something else.
A loud crack comes from somewhere below and the next moment an entire tree trunk spirals through the sky, hitting a small red dragon. A roar of pain follows, and the injured dragon drops from formation. I hear their cry for help growing more desperate until suddenly I can’t hear or feel the dragon anymore.
